What’s it like to rest for two weeks?

Tomorrow will mark two weeks since my PRP injections and therefore two weeks of complete and total rest. Since taking up endurance sports, I have never done this. I thought it was going to be absolute hell, honestly, but I did ok. In fact, my doctor and PT cleared me a few days early to get back to some swimming and light cycling and I didn’t do it.

What kind of insanity is that? Well, the kind I decided might be best for me. For one, the original plan was two weeks, and so I felt like there must be a good reason for that number. For two, my red cell count is still in the tank, which the Sock Doc has suggested contributed to injury and also prevents full healing–his fix is also two weeks rest and then continued reduced volume. And third–I just wanted to see if I could make it two full weeks, as odd as that seems.

When I talk about my slight alarm at the high number of people out there constantly running marathons and ultras, and the impact that might have long-term, part of that stems from my own low blood counts. I didn’t get there without 16 years of endurance training, folks. And I have never run much more than 60 miles in a given week on only a few occasions, at my absolute highest. It never occurred to me that low red counts could contribute to injury, but I suppose it is logical. So two weeks of downtime after all these years and miles seems like it might be justified. Just some food for thought.

Back to my two weeks off. Sleeping in every day actually felt pretty good. I also stayed up a bit later than usual a couple of times (got wild and crazy at book club last week–look out!), and just lived life from “the other side,” for a change. I think it was good mentally as well as physically.

But now the old jeans are feeling a bit tight and I’m starting to feel some excess energy build up, so it’s game on and time to move forward. I’m still not sure how quickly I’ll be running, but I’m hoping sooner rather than later. I think the biggest blessing in all this is that for the first time ever in an injury layoff I am totally and completely not worried in the least about how slow the return to previous fitness will be. I just. don’t. care.

I’ve had company in my layoff, by the way. My son has recently been diagnosed with Sever’s Disease, which is a growth plate/achilles issue. His heels have bothered him for several months, so the doctor thought it was time he let them settle down. He is half way through a four-week layoff from soccer and basketball and he’s climbing the walls. But he feels much, much better, so hopefully this will be all the break he needs. Two peas in a pod over here!

Comments

Rest, what a swear word!!! I know it’s a good thing and I wish I could do it a couple of times a year… But run I must, so day in and day out I run… But like you I find 60 miles is more than enough, and I do drop down to 25-30 miles on rest weeks…Coach Dion recently posted..20 x 30km

Oh I know the feeling all too well! I took a little over a week off from not exercising entirely back in November. Part of it was sickness induced. It felt good to just chill but I definitely was more than ready to move and sweat again. I was a ball of pent up energy! I couldn’t imagine there being two of us like that. Good luck to both you and your son!Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..5 Tips on How to Love Yoga

I am very fortunate that in 25 years of running I’ve never had an injury or surgery or other reason to force an extended break – that just means any breaks were of my own doing. But at this point, no … couldn’t imagine it.

At this point, I think it might actually bother me to take that much time off, even though I say I don’t care if I get injured. I find that I still manage to find time to be lazy and over-indulge while still running, though.bob recently posted..Be your own hero

I wonder if keeping my diet pretty dense and varied helps. I mean, I take in a lot of calories sometimes, and often really fatty stuff–braunschweiger, cheese, pie (gluten-free crust, of course) etc. Nothing is off limits. I wonder if too many people try eating too healthy when they run and work out a lot. Could that affect blood cell count?bob recently posted..Easy approach to posture

I’m really impressed! I’d hate it ( I’m on week four of the Boot, but I’m allowed to bike and swim, and I barely tolerate that), but what you’ve done is what it takes to do what we love for life. I’d do it too if I had to.

resting is the hardest part. I’ve done 6 months before. ya, but for totally different reasons. The kiwi has done 3 months. But.. so NEEDED. Mental toughness for sure.lindsay recently posted..Move it Monday: Core and More

I think the sleeping in might be worth it
Good for you for taking two weeks completely off and feeling good about the whole break. I hope both you and your son can get back to it injury-free.
I don’t think I’ve ever gone two whole weeks. I don’t mind the getting back into it part; in fact, I kind of like the challenge. It’s just the eating better/less part that is tough for me!Abby recently posted..Thirty & an anniversary

I could make it two weeks off with complete rest, I’m a lazy trainer to be honest and really look forward to my rest days/weeks. I’m glad you made it through though and hope you are rejuvinated going forward! All the best to your son as well…Tough having to sit out when you are a child that’s for sure.Robin recently posted..2014 Has Started – My First Ultra

Two full weeks off is tough! I took one full week when I was first injured and then started mixing in some light cross training, but good for you- it will make a difference. I’m glad your son can join you, too!Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..The 5 by the 5th Challenge is back!

That’s awesome that you embraced the two weeks off. Interesting about the low red count possibly playing a part in injury, as I have a low count as well. I hadn’t heard that before.Beth @ Miles and Trials recently posted..2013 in Numbers

As I see it there are two ways to approach two weeks off: stress over the fact that you won’t be working out for two weeks or look at it as a true break, an opportunity to rest and reinvigorate. You chose the harder of the two. Congrats. I hope AL recovers well, too.

That pic with your son is too funny I know I was losing my mind after a ten day break, but paid for it by jumping back in too soon. Good for you for giving it the full two weeks!Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Let the base-building begin

I had to take those six weeks off last year and I was going bonkers. Six weeks was too long and I just felt miserable. But, when I came back, I did feel insanely rested and ready to attack anything, so I guess the goal was achieved!Colorado Gal recently posted..The Columbia Sportswear OmniGames: The Making of a Movie

I love your positive attitude about time off. I used to DREAD rest days and absolutely hated it if I had to take an unplanned day off. I am much more lax now that I’m a mother and have two little ones pulling me in opposite directions. Chasing after them totally counts as a workout! My workout routine has been pretty light since Richmond, thanks to a wicked case of crud that lasted most of December and some other circumstances. To be honest, taking it easy hasn’t been bad at all, and it’s probably just what my body needed!Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted..TrailHeads Giveaway Winner

Way to go on the 2 weeks of rest!! I hope that between the shots and the rest your body feels much better!!
And, I hope that the rest is helping your son – I’ve never heard of Sever’s Disease (gonna read up on it in a bit).
I’ve gone more than 2 weeks several times and it has been rough every time – now I try to just back off the high impact but keep some form of activity and it has been working pretty well for me so far.Kim recently posted..Great Weekend Reads

I saw someone that looked a lot like you running the other day and had to do a double take. I thought “Did she make the full two weeks?” I’m glad that you did and that you’re slowly getting back into the swing of things.Michelle recently posted..Redirect

This post is making me feel a lot better. I’ve been sick for three days and I’m going nuts thinking about how far “behind” I’m getting in my training. Three. Days. If you can make it for two weeks then I can certainly lay low for a few days, right?Allie recently posted..The Rundown – Link Up!

Oh wow I’ve never heard of Sever’s disease. What are the chances you’re both laying off at the same time? Meant to be, I think! Glad to hear you are not climbing the walls too much and have a healthy outlook on all of it. Could not agree with you more that extreme endurance takes a toll and is not right for everyone.Marcia recently posted..Running as Therapy Couch?

I’d be bouncing off walls. I can’t even sit through a movie at the theater without have to get up and walk a bit. But congrats to you on making it through those two weeks.

It was really interesting to learn your training rarely put you over 60 miles per week. I would have thought you were up there at peak training, 70 – 75.Joanne recently posted..Union Square: Pumpkin Risotto

Rest it up! Enjoy and appreciate these days as they are helping you to be stronger n the long run! I wish I could say I followed through with my suggested “break” but I did make it 3 weeks until I had to get out and try running!

I had to do 3 full weeks when I was diagnosed with my blood clot. I was going absolutely stir-crazy. I think my husband wanted to move out LOL. So much energy and also I was struggling mentally. Working out has always been my “me” time to just decompress. Glad you’re hanging in there!

I recently had 6 weeks of rest (though not injury related) and found it got easier and easier to accept as each week passed – weird no? I think I went through the stages of grief and landed at acceptance – ha.Andrea @ The Fit Scoop recently posted..8 Weeks Postpartum

Cute picture! I think you’re being very smart to stick to the plan. It is so hard to do! The last time I had forced time off was when I had my hysterectomy six years ago. After the first couple weeks, I just wanted to get going again. I’ve always hated walking (as an alternative to running) but I started walking miles just so I could do something!

I think the hardest thing was, that I tried to tell myself that the time off would be a good rest for my body, and that when I started back I’d be fresh and ready to go. What really happened was that I’d lost all my fitness, and it was like starting over again at the age of 50! Of course, I was off six weeks, not two, so that’s a huge difference.Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Marathon Base Training, Ignite Naturals, and the Dog Rescuer

LOL, that picture is great! I’m excited to see you back at it (because I’m dying to hear about PRP for one thing), but you were smart to take 2 weeks. Hopefully you’ll solve your RBC problem, too.Gracie (Complicated Day) recently posted..Who Dat

I am glad the rest was so good for you! I know you have had your share of running ups and downs so hopefully the injections and hiatus did the trick to get you back to happier, pain-free movement. I have never been a “do or die” runner (the only time I break 40mph is when I don’t work or spin) so laying off running would not be too bad. But if I could not exercise AT ALL I would go insane. So kudos to you for sticking to it and making it enjoyable!

I’m really proud of you for resting the full two weeks. I know that it’s not easy and I’m sure that you’re itching to get out there. But I’m glad that you had company (but not glad that your son has had to deal with some pain. PS love that pictureChristine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..6 ways to fit yoga into your life

Good for you sticking with the full 2 weeks of rest! I think that’s very smart. I’ve taken many extended breaks due to injuries. They are certainly frustrating, but they also make me appreciate getting back into a fitness routine once I’m able to. That way when I’m back at it, I appreciate it much more.Kristen @ The Running Mom recently posted..I’m still here!

Wow the rest of your household must be having fun with both you and your son taking a few weeks off! Two complete weeks off would be hard to imagine….I’m sure the rest will do you well and it will feel good to get back out there Beth @ RUNNING around my kitchen recently posted..2 race recaps & chocolate chip cookies….with salt

Glad to hear you are taking the safe route and went for the two weeks off. As much as I’m sad for you that your off from running its been fun reading all about the former/other side of miss zippy! Your a mom on the go having your son injured too…I bet the doc’s know you all pretty well by now. Hope he heals soon and you both can be back to activeville…:)Holly recently posted..Treadmill Diaries

An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who
was conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch simply because I found it for him…
lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!

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